About NERACOOS
Providing ocean data for decisions
The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) is one of 11 Regional Associations operating within the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). The mission of IOOS, and by extension our own, is to guide the development of an ocean observing system that is responsive to the needs of our users. We generate data about the ocean, consolidates that data, and share it with anyone who wants or needs it.
We are certified by NOAA as a Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS) Entity, which means the data we serve meet the high standards set for federal data gathering and management. To learn more about our certification and its documentation, visit our Governance page.
Core Values
As we work to fulfill our mission, we are guided by these core values that shape our activities and approach:
- In order to use resources efficiently, we need a better understanding of the coupled coastal-ocean system
- Our work is, and will continue to be, driven by feedback from stakeholders
- The data we provide must be high quality & accessible by all
- We are a non-partisan, not-for-profit and our work is based in science
- Through collaboration and leadership, we support regional, national and international coastal ocean observing and modeling
- Education helps deepen people’s connection with the ocean and encourages environmental stewardship
- Creating opportunities for innovation is important both for tools and our next generation of ocean professionals
NERACOOS Staff
The NERACOOS Network
Meet the NERACOOS Board of Directors, System Operators, and Partners
Board of Directors
The NERACOOS Board of Directors is comprised of stakeholders from each coastal New England state, representing both public and private sector industries. The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), and the Northeast Academic Consortium (NEAC), members from which comprised the first iteration of the NERACOOS Board, still participate through specific appointments. The first Board of Directors meeting was held on November 13, 2008, at which time the NERACOOS Bylaws were adopted.
Documents related to Board operations, including meeting minutes, can be found on the Governance page.
- PRESIDENT: Rhonda Moniz (Underwater Investigative Group)
- VICE PRESIDENT: Nicole Bartlett (NOAA North Atlantic Regional Team)
- SECRETARY: Prassede Vella (MA Coastal Zone Management/MassBays NEP)
- TREASURER: Kevin O’Brien (CT National Estuarine Research Reserve)
- Larry Alade (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center)
- Nicole Bartlett (NOAA North Atlantic Regional Team)
- Janet Duffy-Anderson (Gulf of Maine Research Institute)
- Shayla Fitzimmons (Candian Integrated Ocean Observing System)
- Diane Foster (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
- Catherine Johnson (Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
- Steve Lohrenz (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth)
- Rhonda Moniz (Underwater Investigative Group)
- Todd Morrison (NOBSKA Development Corporation)
- Kevin O’Brien (Connecticut Natural Estuarine Research Reserve)
- Katie O’Brien Clayton (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
- Rebecca Peters (Maine Department of Marine Resources)
- Neal Pettigrew (University of Maine)
- Hung Pham (Massachusetts Maritime Academy)
- Jane Sawyers (Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management)
- Prassede Vella (MassBays National Estuary Partnership NEP)
- Aleck Wang (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
- Chris Williams (New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services)
- David Wu (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority)
- EXECUTIVE: Rhonda Moniz, Nicole Bartlett, Kevin O’Brien, Prassede Vella
- FINANCE: Chris Williams, Kevin O’Brien, Prassede Vella, Jane Sawyers
- NOMINATING: Janet Duffy-Anderson, Shayla Fitzsimmons, Diane Foster, Steve Lohrenz, Todd Morrison
System Operators, Partners, and Members
Learn more about the owners and operators, partners, and members that play key roles in supporting our projects.
System Operators
As the owners and operators of NERACOOS’s observing assets, our System Operators play a key role in our monitoring and modeling efforts.
Partners
These organizations are integral members of the NERACOOS network, providing critical leadership, support, and expertise on projects that advance our understanding of Northeast marine ecosystems.
Operating the System
